17 per cent of businesses invest in cyber-security training for staff
Published: 13 May 2016
Is your business at risk of a cyber attack? According to The Open University, businesses need to understand the importance of building cyber-security skills as well as IT infrastructures.
New government research has revealed nearly two-thirds of large UK businesses have suffered a cyber-attack, yet only 17 per cent of UK firms have trained staff in this area over the past year. While The Open University warns that training must become more central to businesses’ cyber-security efforts.
Steve Hill, director of external engagement at The Open University, commented: “Businesses need to recognise that investing in IT infrastructure and retraining staff must go hand in hand. As the techniques used by hackers to breach networks and servers become more sophisticated, companies need to do more than simply update its IT systems. Instead, they must ensure that their employees have the knowledge and skills to maintain best practice and future-proof the company’s defences.”
Steve continued: “It is important to recognise that a firm’s cyber-security measures cannot simply rely on the expertise of a skilled IT team. Knowledge about best practice must be widespread across an organisation.
“Thanks to the increasingly flexible educational possibilities available online, it is now easier than ever to make this knowledge accessible across an organisation. The Open University’s Introduction to Cyber Security course was the first of its kind anywhere in the world to gain government support, indicating that the UK is starting to recognise the importance of making these skills widely available.”
